Ice Cream Haze hydroponics grow: 250g harvest and 15% rosin returns

Ice Cream Haze hydroponic grow report by Lil Dab

Although the growth was straightforward and the harvest was an impressive 250g (8.8 oz), this grow was all about the massive chunky frosty buds. The frost covering was spectacularly thick and heavy – Lil Dab called her a “frost queen”. This contributed to the solid rosin yield of 15% (first press only).

Rosin is the cannabis concentrate that can be produced using a simple Rosin Press, easily available online – no solvents required! Rosin can be made simply by squeezing a bud (sandwIched in some grease-proof paper) between hot hair-straighteners. The rosin is squeezed out of the bud and can be scraped-up from the grease-proof paper.

Lil Dab is also an experienced cannabis concentrate producer and was impressed by the 15% rosin yields (especially after a slight over-dry bud harvest, done to guard against mould in those huge colas).

High extraction yields are only possible from the more resinous, highest THC cannabis seed varieties. A variety with both high THC and fat blooms is the ideal one for any cannabis concentrate producer.

Antonio also sent me a couple strains to try out from a while ago. I know the one strain is Ice Cream Haze. Potted her up to a 1-gallon pot same time I transplanted the other two.

Been slow on updates but not much happening plan on transplanting to 3 gallons this week and hopefully getting them into the big tent in the next 2 weeks.

Above, Ice Cream Haze looking green and healthy after 37 days of indoor veg growth with multiple growth points.

At this point, the Ice Cream Haze was looking very healthy in hydro with 5-6 weeks of veg growth completed. Lil Dab moved the plant from an increasingly cramped veg area to the bloom room with the large LED and makes the following comment:

Moving the girls into the flower tent today. The 3×3 tent has gotten crowded and I have just enough room to move them into here. Started to do some training to open them up but quickly realised I didn’t have the room for that so I removed training wire and did some defoliation. Now I’m going to let them do their thing for the first two weeks by then the other girls in the tent will be finished and I will SCROG them out.

Ice Cream Haze Day 44 (last day of veg/start of flowering).

Above, Ice Cream Haze thriving with abundant foliage & growth.

As a fan of dabs and cannabis concentrates, Lil Dab loved the abundant sticky resin that allowed him to reach a very respectable 15% yield on his rosin production. Below are some pictures and comments from Lil Dab as Ice Cream Haze thrived in bloom, eventually producing a heavy 250g / 8.8oz harvest.

Day 8 of flowering (not sure when you start counting—I’ve been counting from the switch to 12/12), and I’m starting to see signs of sex.

Day 52 (Day 8 of Flower). Ice Cream Haze is showing a nice structure with really thick branches.

Yeah, Ice Cream Haze is a good one—she’s looking really good. I can already tell she’s going to be a favourite. She’s been the easiest to grow out of all of them, not bothered by anything.

Day 33 of flower: the frost is coming in and the smells are developing, but it’s hard to get a distinct aroma with everything going on in the tent. They’re all looking awesome—super frosty—and there’s a real mix of aromas. Hard to separate them, but I’m really excited to see how these press out.

Ice Cream Haze—her smell starts off lemony with a sweeter note. The more I smell her, the more I think she smells like Skittles—really sweet and fruity.”

Antonio_DutchPassion replied:

If I can give you a tip, remove a few of the lower leaves so more light and air can get through. This helps with lower bud development and reduces the risk of pests caused by yellowing, brown, or dead leaves.

Lil Dab replied:

Of course—you can always give tips! I love getting advice from the pros. I’ll do that today.

Her buds are massive—honestly some of the biggest colas I’ve had, about the size of golf balls. She’s a real frost queen, super sticky and gritty. I can’t quite pin down her aroma—it’s kind of lemony, but much sweeter.

Ice Cream Haze day 41. As Ice Cream Haze entered late bloom, she developed her spectacular frost and the colas swelled rapidly. She is often ready after 9-10 weeks of flowering. Lil Dab was impressed with the eye-catching blooms.

I thought Ice Cream Haze had some more time and she probably could go longer but I think she’s about prime for rosin making around day 67 of flower. Colas are some of the biggest thickest I’ve had and have/am worried about bud rot but haven’t seen anything yet. Fruity citrusy sweet aromas from her.

Ice Cream Haze, XL harvest and generous rosin yields

After 67 days / 9.5 weeks the Ice Cream Haze had grown into a chunky, sticky plant with plenty of generously proportioned blooms. Some more comments and pictures from Lil Dab.

Ice Cream Haze Day 67 of flowering = Harvest day.

The extract is usually known as ‘rosin’ and is popular with growers since rosin is so easy to make, without the need for solvents or flammable gas such as butane. Here are some more comments and pictures from Lil Dab:

I weighed up and pressed Ice Cream Haze last night and got 250g from her. I think I over-dried her a bit because I was worried about mold with colas that big.

She ended up a little dry, but no mold was found, which honestly surprised me. For how dense she was, she definitely showed some resistance.

The return wasn’t quite where it should’ve been because of that, but it was still a nice 15% on the first press. Beautiful golden color, with a citrusy, creamy smell—kind of like some sort of ice cream.